Defending Florida's Ecosystems & Communities

More than 5,000 People Protest Discharges into the St. Lucie Estuary

More than 5,000 people gather at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam to protest the discharge of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary. The practice, which has occurred since at least the 1950’s, is intended to reduce water levels in Lake Okeechobee during periods of high flow. In 2013, the discharges led to toxic algae blooms which had a significant impact on local businesses, often referred to as the “Lost Summer of 2013.”